New Delhi, April 12: Terming India and Maldives as natural partners, President Pranab Mukherjee Monday said New Delhi will continue to extend all support for strengthening of democratic institutions in the archipelago nation.
Welcoming visiting President of Maldives Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, Mukherjee said India attaches high importance to its ‘neighbours first’ policy. Within that Maldives has a place of privilege. India also appreciates the ‘India first’ policy of Maldives, he said.
India as the largest democracy will continue to extend all support for the strengthening of democratic institutions in Maldives, Mukherjee said.
The President said India and Maldives are natural partners in the Indian ocean region.
Mukherjee said relations between India and Maldives have grown over the centuries substantially, building on the people to people relations that the two countries share. “India is committed to its policy of supporting Maldives in every way including in building the capacity and infrastructure of Maldives,” he said.
Reciprocating Mukherjee’s sentiments, the Maldivian President said the government of Maldives is firmly committed to its ‘India First’ policy.
India is the only foreign country he has visited more than once and this was his third visit in two years. He said the two countries are bound by strong civilizational and cultural links.
Gayoom has called on the President at Rashtrapati Bhavan here.
